In 1956 Gilmore Park United Church began as a group of young families who came together to worship and raise their children in the Christian faith. 9 adults and 15 children gathered on Sunday mornings in RM Grauer school. The name of the church comes from the Gilmore family who were early settlers in West Richmond.

A year later, 1.8 acres of land was purchased for a Christian education building. The property was later expanded to 2.86 acres and the first sanctuary was built in 1958, which served until 1997.

Showing signs of “premature aging”, the buildings needed to be torn down. At the same time, it came to the attention of the congregation that there was a need for quality senior citizen’s housing in Richmond. A dynamic team of creative thinkers envisioned an innovative project that would become the church of the future. The buildings were torn down and a new church was built as well as Gilmore Gardens Seniors Centre. The Centre is owned by the church (50%) and five other private investors. Income from the Centre currently services the church’s debt incurred for the construction of our new building. Some of this funding also supplements our ministry programs and personnel. In less than 15 years’ time, all the income from our share of Gilmore Gardens will be available to us for further ministry initiatives in Richmond or across the globe.

As our congregation is not burdened with debt, nor building-related “headaches” and repairs, we are at liberty to freely do ministry in Christ’s name. We are founded upon, and are continually dedicated to the nurturing of children and youth in the faith. Today, our adult ministry programs (small groups) are equally important and dynamic, and we are leaders in our community in caring for the earth and its peoples.